Harden Red Devils rise from winless season to grand final

By Eamonn Tiernan

They didn't win a game last year but the Harden Red Devils are one victory away from clinching the Central West Rugby Union South title on Saturday.

The Red Devils first premiership in 12 years would provide some much-needed respite for the town of 2200 people, 90 minutes north-west of Canberra.

Harden Red Devils player Clint Stevens.Credit:Twin Town Times

They're expecting an 800-strong crowd when they host the Temora Tuskers, which Red Devils president Harry Sachs said was incredible for a club that folded in 2010.

Sachs and some mates resurrected the club in 2015 and after a few seasons building their roster, Harden are once again a force in the central west.

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"Last year we played each week with 12 or 13 blokes but a couple of handy players have come back in this year and the success is getting people interested," Sachs said.

Jack O'Connor. Credit:Twin Town Times

"There's always been a rugby culture in the town, it's just been a sleeping giant for a few years and we finally poked the bear and she's awoken.

"The best thing about this comp is there's no bulls**t. Instead of running everything to letter of the law, we just play with what we've got and that's why the comp going so strong.

"At our last grand final in 2006 we had over a 1000 people there. Mum is the treasurer and cook and is worried about running out of food on Saturday, but one thing's for sure - we won't run out of grog."

Harden are battling the drought affecting 99 per cent of New South Wales and two weeks ago the Red Devils lost 24-year-old clubman Isaac Paterson in a car accident.

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"Things are a bit tight at the moment and that's the best thing about having this grand final, it gives people something else to think about instead of feeding their stock for a day. They can come out and watch a game for footy and get their mind off things," Sachs said.

"A couple of blokes have unfortunately passed away this year too, we’ve had a signed Wallabies jersey donated and we'll be auctioning it off for a former devil (Paterson).

"Hopefully we can jag a win and send it up to him.

"It's been a very hard year for some of the boys out there and I'm sure they'll be playing on the weekend for some boys that aren't here with us."